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Microscopic evidence for Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state and multiband effects in KFe2As2

X. Y. Liu1,2, Z. Kao3, J. Luo1, J. Yang1, A. F. Fang4,5, J. Zhao3,6,7, R. Zhou1,*, and Guo-qing Zheng8

  • *Contact author: rzhou@iphy.ac.cn

Phys. Rev. B 112, L020505 – Published 17 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/7hhv-9fq7

Abstract

The Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state is a superconducting phase characterized by broken translational symmetry, where Cooper pairs form with nonzero momentum between Zeeman-split Fermi surfaces. This state is highly sensitive to band structure and pairing symmetry. In multiband superconductors, the FFLO state can significantly deviate from its standard form, but experimental verification has remained challenging. Here, we present As75 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on the multiband superconductor KFe2As2. In the low-temperature, high-magnetic-field region above the upper critical field Bc2, we observe a clear increase in the second moment of the NMR spectrum, along with a strong enhancement in the spin-lattice relaxation rate divided by temperature 1/T1T. These results indicate an emergence of superconducting spin smecticity and Andreev bound states from the spatial modulation of the superconducting gap, providing microscopic evidence for the FFLO state. The obtained phase diagram reveals a distinct boundary line between the FFLO and homogenous superconducting states with a low critical temperature of the FFLO state T*≈0.2Tc, which can be attributed to the multiband effects in KFe2As2. Our results show that the iron-based superconductors are a good material platform for studying the FFLO state and highlight the importance of the multiband effects on this exotic phase.

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